Another pleasant surprise from this wine. Decanted and tasted shortly thereafter. Dark almost opaque garnet with little to no bricking. Rich chewy texture. Nose had vanilla. Boysenberry, cassis, plum and some floral and tobacco notes. Palate is long and layered. Tasty with steak. My last bottle but a wonderful QPR over nearly 2 decade.
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The 2004 Ilona Howell Mountain Blend color was a deep scarlet red. The nose provided scents of rosewater, tar, and cherry. The mouth feel was medium with light to medium tannins. A very nice velvety feel that provided a taste of mushroom, wet stone, plum, cherry, and a hint of licorice. A very nice wine. Drink now. Score 91
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Decanted at about 5pm and drunk over three more hours. Medium to dark garnet colored. The nose has lots of tar and vanilla and layers of rose petals with a bit of "sharpness"/crystalline minerality. On the palate I get tar, red plum, rose petals, earthy mushroom, anise and oddly some bacon on the finish. Nicely textured, soft on the tongue and somewhat voluptuous. At or about peak but certainly can sustain for some time to come. This was a surpriseingly good pairing with a pan seared halibut over a butternut squash purée and truffled fingerling potatoes...it really brought out the roses and earthy notes to the point that it almost tasted like a Barolo. Lovely!
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Medium to dark garnet/purple. Nose has dark chocolate and black fruit with some oaky creaminess. Palate is quite rich and chewy with black raspberry, chocolate, licorice and a touch of cedar. Modern styled, soft and rich on the tongue with just a little heat (despite only 13.8% ABV) but very little tannin. Very smooth, feminine with rich body. Has some fine sediment, needs decanting.
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Nice start as vibrant blue fruit fills the palate. Mellows out and the middle and finishes a bit short. Nice easy drinking. + for front end, - for back end
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Great QPR wine, and I like this considerably more in 04 than in 05, as the 04 has better acidity (based on memory of comparison to the 05). Nose of blackberry and mint. Medium mouth feel. Good acidity with a relatively elegant finish for this price point. Very impressive for the price.
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Rich, opulent and full of dark fruit. Dark garnet in color. Nose of clove and allspice. Leather, cedar and earthy on the palate. Great with a spicy, italian casserole.
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Still showing great of cedar, tobacco, and earthy red and dark red fruits. Went well with some steak. One bottle left, I will miss this one dearly...more like my palate will miss this one once its all gone.
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Nice deep garnet color and floral nose. However, this bottle was past prime and a bit carmelized. Last two bottles have been very good and this was drinkable but not up to the previous bottles
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Deep purple color. Earth and minerals on the nose. Nice bright fruit and lots of it on the palate. Love Howell Mountain fruit. Pretty straight forward fruit bomb. Not much complexity but a great drinking value wine.
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Sweet spot! Ilona is one of the best deals in my cellar. Deep, opaque purple in the glass with ruby rim and long legs. An inviting nose of fine leather, ripe berries and savory spices. The palate resounds with blackberries and bing cherries, followed by smooth tannins and well integrated oak. Howell Mountain glories, burnished to a high luster.
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I might've been a bit over excited from my last note, but dang, this is one good grape juice. What I wrote from my last note still holds true, but its a little thinner than I remember. Looking for more bottles to purchase.
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Very tight on Day 1, but opened up nicely on Days 2 and 3. Very nice new world take bordeaux,with dark fruit and cofee and even a little herb note. Not a fruit bomb, and enough tannin for good grip. Good QPR for $20; not so much for full retail.
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Better than before. It's a little softer than I like, but overall a full fruit profile with concentration, depth, clove, and a touch of citrus on the finish. Again, could use slightly more structure, but nice overall.
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Vinturi-ed into a decanter for 90 mins. Nice purple-garnet color. The nose smacks with red cherries and raspberries with some spiciness to it. Some eucalyptus and funky earthiness/minerality trailing off at the end there. Dark red fruits, raspberries, cassis, dark chocolate and tobacco on the palate. Tannins are smooth and not oaky at all. Yum. I may have to look for the other vintages and compare them. 19.99 a bottle? Heck yes! Awesome QPR. This is definitely a keeper.
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Decanted for an hour. All I can say is WOW !! This is not the same wine I had in the first three bottles. The nose was incredible. Intense dark fruits, saddle leather, tobacco. The palate was medium-bodied, smooth, balanced with a subtle earth component leading to a soft finish. No heavy tannins. More of a refined old world style, easy to enjoy. I was shocked at how different this wine was compared to earlier bottles I tried. Very nice indeed. 50,5,14,15,6=90
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After an hour decant, this purple passion stood out. The nose redolent of hills and harvests, oak and currants. The palate started out a touch sweet and simple. But over the night with Jan, Kate and Nate, it revealed a smooth and silky texture, with tamed tanins, and a delightful compote of mixed berries and smoky depth with a hint of asian spice.
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A little less than what I had hoped for. A decent wine, but not in good balance, with fruit and herbal flavors that were particularly well integrated. I had hoped that a Howell Mountain Bordeaux blend would taste a little more blended. All in all, still fine juice. Better on the second day after a night in the fridge.
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Popped and poured, wanted to compare this right from the bottle since the last time I decanted. Noticed very small amount of tartar on the cork and some minimal sediment in the glass. This is to be expected with a 2004. Nose was better than what followed. Got a floral component (not sure what), earthiness (like fresh dirt being dug up) perhaps clay, faint oak, cigar box aroma. The palate was soft and subdued. Left me wanted more. The wine is very easy to drink, but lacks any overall complexity. 50+5+10+15+5=85
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Great Bordeaux nose with nice floral notes from the Cabernet franc. Very smooth red but that's the problem. Your palate is left wanting for something more. This is a great wine to bring out when you have mixed company and you want to keep it simple and smooth.
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Decanted for about 2 hours. Had a big nose upon opening the bottle, but later when pouring it seemed to trail off (not as much fruit). The taste was slightly tannic. My wife found it to me more oakie. The finish was somewhat lacking and I wanted more but it was not there. The first bottle I tried was much better. Hum ....
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I liked it, but my wife wasn't fond of this. I think it was a bit tannic, which is different than most other descriptions. However, we will give a few years and try again. Definitely had to drink it with our meal.
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Great nose on this wine of rich red fruit....lots of raspberries with some floral components and some vanilla wood. Well, thats where it ends folks. Not much on the palate, you still get the oak but no complexity and nothing lingers. I decanted for 1.5 hours than drank over almost 4 hours and this wine did not get better.
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Decanted for 3 hours prior to drinking. Nose was brilliant fruit right out of the bottle. Seemed more subtle from the glass. Palate was soft, smooth, very easy to drink. My first bottle. I really enjoyed this and look forward to another bottle soon.
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1/28/2023 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another pleasant surprise from this wine. Decanted and tasted shortly thereafter. Dark almost opaque garnet with little to no bricking. Rich chewy texture. Nose had vanilla. Boysenberry, cassis, plum and some floral and tobacco notes. Palate is long and layered. Tasty with steak. My last bottle but a wonderful QPR over nearly 2 decade.
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8/9/2018 - keepcleanbob Likes this wine: 90 Points
Channels an aging Bordeaux with notes of leather replacing the fruit but balanced
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10/9/2016 - wineman73 wrote: 91 Points
The 2004 Ilona Howell Mountain Blend color was a deep scarlet red. The nose provided scents of rosewater, tar, and cherry. The mouth feel was medium with light to medium tannins. A very nice velvety feel that provided a taste of mushroom, wet stone, plum, cherry, and a hint of licorice. A very nice wine. Drink now. Score 91
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10/8/2016 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted at about 5pm and drunk over three more hours. Medium to dark garnet colored. The nose has lots of tar and vanilla and layers of rose petals with a bit of "sharpness"/crystalline minerality. On the palate I get tar, red plum, rose petals, earthy mushroom, anise and oddly some bacon on the finish. Nicely textured, soft on the tongue and somewhat voluptuous. At or about peak but certainly can sustain for some time to come. This was a surpriseingly good pairing with a pan seared halibut over a butternut squash purée and truffled fingerling potatoes...it really brought out the roses and earthy notes to the point that it almost tasted like a Barolo. Lovely!
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4/30/2016 - oldwines Likes this wine: 90 Points
Medium to dark garnet/purple. Nose has dark chocolate and black fruit with some oaky creaminess. Palate is quite rich and chewy with black raspberry, chocolate, licorice and a touch of cedar. Modern styled, soft and rich on the tongue with just a little heat (despite only 13.8% ABV) but very little tannin. Very smooth, feminine with rich body. Has some fine sediment, needs decanting.
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1/30/2016 - BURGHen Boy wrote: 89 Points
Nice start as vibrant blue fruit fills the palate. Mellows out and the middle and finishes a bit short. Nice easy drinking. + for front end, - for back end
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5/10/2015 - juffer Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great QPR wine, and I like this considerably more in 04 than in 05, as the 04 has better acidity (based on memory of comparison to the 05). Nose of blackberry and mint. Medium mouth feel. Good acidity with a relatively elegant finish for this price point. Very impressive for the price.
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9/29/2014 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 92 Points
Final bottle of Ilona, at The Beacon. Remarkably, tasting notes similar to 4/10/12. This stellar value for a Howell Cab is still phenomenal.
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7/13/2014 - lettykatie Likes this wine: 89 Points
Nice red wine
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10/27/2013 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 89 Points
Rich, opulent and full of dark fruit. Dark garnet in color. Nose of clove and allspice. Leather, cedar and earthy on the palate. Great with a spicy, italian casserole.
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4/22/2013 - AMC Eagle wrote: 94 Points
Still showing great of cedar, tobacco, and earthy red and dark red fruits. Went well with some steak. One bottle left, I will miss this one dearly...more like my palate will miss this one once its all gone.
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3/31/2013 - wconnolly wrote: 80 Points
Nice deep garnet color and floral nose. However, this bottle was past prime and a bit carmelized. Last two bottles have been very good and this was drinkable but not up to the previous bottles
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11/27/2012 - JHolthaus wrote: flawed
Corked
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4/28/2012 - The Count wrote: 92 Points
Much more lively and rich than prior bottle. Deep, cedar. Excellent!
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4/22/2012 - wconnolly wrote: 85 Points
Deep purple color. Earth and minerals on the nose. Nice bright fruit and lots of it on the palate. Love Howell Mountain fruit. Pretty straight forward fruit bomb. Not much complexity but a great drinking value wine.
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4/10/2012 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 92 Points
Sweet spot! Ilona is one of the best deals in my cellar. Deep, opaque purple in the glass with ruby rim and long legs. An inviting nose of fine leather, ripe berries and savory spices. The palate resounds with blackberries and bing cherries, followed by smooth tannins and well integrated oak. Howell Mountain glories, burnished to a high luster.
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3/25/2012 - Prevean wrote: 93 Points
Surprising nice
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12/18/2011 - The Count wrote: 85 Points
Perhaps a beauty in its prime, but this lady was not good company tonight - tired, flat fruit, no tannin. Drink now if you still have.
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10/30/2011 - AMC Eagle wrote: 94 Points
I might've been a bit over excited from my last note, but dang, this is one good grape juice. What I wrote from my last note still holds true, but its a little thinner than I remember. Looking for more bottles to purchase.
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5/23/2011 - Armando B wrote: 89 Points
Very tight on Day 1, but opened up nicely on Days 2 and 3. Very nice new world take bordeaux,with dark fruit and cofee and even a little herb note. Not a fruit bomb, and enough tannin for good grip. Good QPR for $20; not so much for full retail.
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5/19/2011 - neurovino wrote: 90 Points
Better than before. It's a little softer than I like, but overall a full fruit profile with concentration, depth, clove, and a touch of citrus on the finish. Again, could use slightly more structure, but nice overall.
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5/15/2011 - AMC Eagle wrote: 96 Points
Vinturi-ed into a decanter for 90 mins. Nice purple-garnet color. The nose smacks with red cherries and raspberries with some spiciness to it. Some eucalyptus and funky earthiness/minerality trailing off at the end there. Dark red fruits, raspberries, cassis, dark chocolate and tobacco on the palate. Tannins are smooth and not oaky at all. Yum. I may have to look for the other vintages and compare them. 19.99 a bottle? Heck yes! Awesome QPR. This is definitely a keeper.
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3/7/2011 - rodsjuice wrote: 90 Points
Decanted for an hour. All I can say is WOW !! This is not the same wine I had in the first three bottles. The nose was incredible. Intense dark fruits, saddle leather, tobacco. The palate was medium-bodied, smooth, balanced with a subtle earth component leading to a soft finish. No heavy tannins. More of a refined old world style, easy to enjoy. I was shocked at how different this wine was compared to earlier bottles I tried. Very nice indeed. 50,5,14,15,6=90
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12/24/2010 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 91 Points
After an hour decant, this purple passion stood out. The nose redolent of hills and harvests, oak and currants. The palate started out a touch sweet and simple. But over the night with Jan, Kate and Nate, it revealed a smooth and silky texture, with tamed tanins, and a delightful compote of mixed berries and smoky depth with a hint of asian spice.
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10/22/2010 - neurovino wrote: 88 Points
A little less than what I had hoped for. A decent wine, but not in good balance, with fruit and herbal flavors that were particularly well integrated. I had hoped that a Howell Mountain Bordeaux blend would taste a little more blended. All in all, still fine juice. Better on the second day after a night in the fridge.
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7/21/2010 - rodsjuice wrote: 85 Points
Popped and poured, wanted to compare this right from the bottle since the last time I decanted. Noticed very small amount of tartar on the cork and some minimal sediment in the glass. This is to be expected with a 2004. Nose was better than what followed. Got a floral component (not sure what), earthiness (like fresh dirt being dug up) perhaps clay, faint oak, cigar box aroma. The palate was soft and subdued. Left me wanted more. The wine is very easy to drink, but lacks any overall complexity. 50+5+10+15+5=85
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6/19/2010 - rmcnees wrote: 91 Points
Dark, complex, full bodied black berry fruits, dark chocolate, hint of spice and anise, on a moderately firm tannin finish.
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6/14/2010 - timfh wrote: 92 Points
Fruity initially with a mild yet lingering finish.
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6/12/2010 - ksde wrote: 88 Points
Great Bordeaux nose with nice floral notes from the Cabernet franc. Very smooth red but that's the problem. Your palate is left wanting for something more. This is a great wine to bring out when you have mixed company and you want to keep it simple and smooth.
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6/10/2010 - rodsjuice wrote: 85 Points
Decanted for about 2 hours. Had a big nose upon opening the bottle, but later when pouring it seemed to trail off (not as much fruit). The taste was slightly tannic. My wife found it to me more oakie. The finish was somewhat lacking and I wanted more but it was not there. The first bottle I tried was much better. Hum ....
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5/24/2010 - dstraub wrote: 88 Points
I liked it, but my wife wasn't fond of this. I think it was a bit tannic, which is different than most other descriptions. However, we will give a few years and try again. Definitely had to drink it with our meal.
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4/28/2010 - cstir wrote: 84 Points
Pleasant on opening but little depth or finish.
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3/19/2010 - TheMarshall wrote: 85 Points
Great nose on this wine of rich red fruit....lots of raspberries with some floral components and some vanilla wood. Well, thats where it ends folks. Not much on the palate, you still get the oak but no complexity and nothing lingers. I decanted for 1.5 hours than drank over almost 4 hours and this wine did not get better.
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3/10/2010 - rodsjuice wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 3 hours prior to drinking. Nose was brilliant fruit right out of the bottle. Seemed more subtle from the glass. Palate was soft, smooth, very easy to drink. My first bottle. I really enjoyed this and look forward to another bottle soon.
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